Lionel Messi's Inter Miami has qualified for the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 as a host team after securing an all-time Major League Soccer (MLS) record for most points in a regular season and lifting the MLS Supporters' Shield for the first time in the club's history. 

Inter Miami is the 31st team to be qualified for the expanded edition of the 32-team FIFA Club World Cup in 2025 and one final spot is remaining to be occupied by the CONMEBOL Libertadores 2024 champions after the final scheduled to be played on 30th November 2024. 

The MLS outfit was announced to be included in the tournament by FIFA President Gianni Infantino following Miami's 6-2 victory over New England Revolution on 20th October 2024. Infantino announced:

“I have three things to tell you! The first, many congratulations for winning the Supporters Shield! Second, you will be qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025! And third, you will be opening and hosting the opening game at the Hard Rock Stadium in front of 65.000 people!" 

FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced that Inter Miami have qualified for the 2025 Club World Cup after winning the Supporters’ Shield.

They will also host the opening game at the Hard Rock Stadium 🏟️ pic.twitter.com/CdnPhz1Tp9

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 20, 2024

The redesigned FIFA Club World Cup for the 2025 edition 

The FIFA Club World Cup will welcome significant expansion for the first time in its history. The tournament will now feature 32 teams, a notable increase from the previous format that hosted only seven teams. The newly structured tournament is scheduled to take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025, and will be held in various stadiums in the United States.

FIFA has distributed 12 spots to European clubs (UEFA), 6 spots to South American teams (CONMEBOL), and 4 spots each to clubs from North America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), Asia (AFC), and Africa (CAF). The last spot is reserved for Oceania (OFC).

The tournament will feature a group stage of eight groups consisting of 4 teams in each group playing a single game in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will earn qualification for the Round of 16 and after the quarter-finals and semi-finals are over, two teams will meet each other in the final set to be played on 13th July 2025. 

The draw for the group division will take place in December 2024. 

Teams qualified for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025

1. Europe (UEFA) | 12 teams 

🚨🚨| OFFICIAL: The UEFA teams that are set to compete in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup. pic.twitter.com/c5ihk05iVs

— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) September 6, 2024

Chelsea FC (England): 2020/21 UEFA Champions League Winners

Real Madrid (Spain): 2021/22 and 2023/24 UEFA Champions League Winners

Manchester City FC (England): 2022/23 UEFA Champions League Winners

Bayern Munich (Germany): UEFA Ranking 

Paris Saint-Germain (France): UEFA Ranking 

Inter Milan (Italy): UEFA Ranking 

FC Porto (Portugal): UEFA Ranking 

SL Benfica (Portugal): UEFA Ranking 

Borussia Dortmund (Germany): UEFA Ranking 

Juventus FC (Italy): UEFA Ranking 

Atletico Madrid (Spain): UEFA Ranking

FC Salzburg (Austria): UEFA Ranking 

2. North America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) | 4 teams 

The four teams representing @Concacaf at the FIFA Club World Cup 2025...

🇲🇽 @Rayados
🇺🇸 @SoundersFC
🇲🇽 @clubleonfc
🇲🇽 @Tuzos pic.twitter.com/MmGC6C94yJ

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 2, 2024

Football in 2024 includes creating milestones, late dramas, superb goals, and glorious comebacks. It was a year to remember for football fans around the world. But the excitement doesn't stop here, as there are more to come in 2025 in terms of the biggest and most popular football matches are concerned. So, hurry up! Mark down the key dates in your calendar.

Here are the key dates of the biggest and most popular matches in 2025, including fierce derbies and the games that could change the respective league table entirely or result in promotions in the coming months are as follows:

Biggest Football Matches in January 2025: 

Liverpool 2-2 Manchester United, a thrilling contest!!

Nottingham Forest are looking sharp! And they are definitely aiming to beat Liverpool fc at home on 14th January, to remain active in the title challenge race. Elsewhere, in Champions League top European Clubs will battle for the ultimate European glory. Manchester City and PSG are odds to be relegated, and Atletico Madrid could overtake Bayer Leverkusen and confirm their place in the next round.

Read Also | Liverpool vs Manchester United Highlights | An improved United take a point away from Liverpool in a record night for Salah

UEFA Europa League could also provide shocks as Rangers might surpass struggling Man United and confirm their berth for the next round if they manage to beat Red Devils, and Galatasaray could find themselves below Ajax in the table if Ajax manages to beat them.

From the Cup's point of view, Arsenal will face Manchester United in an F.A. Cup encounter and again the Gunners will go face to face with mighty New Castle United at the Carabao Cup Semi-final 1st leg on 8th January, and Tottenham will go head-to-head against Liverpool on 9th January. On 15th January, Tottenham will face Arsenal, in a high-voltage North-London Derby.

Key Dates of the Biggest Football Matches in January 2025

Biggest Football Matches in February 2025:

A Month of Fierce Rivalries!!

Top Derbies that are included in February are Marseille vs. Lyon, AC Milan vs. Inter Milan, Real Madrid vs. Atletico Madrid, Paris St. Germain vs. Monaco and Juventus vs. Inter Milan. Atletico has the chance to surpass Real Madrid and could find themselves at the top of the La Liga table.

In Carabao Cup, Newcastle will face Arsenal at home and Tottenham will be going Anfield to face one of their toughest matches of the season against Liverpool.

Key Dates of the Biggest Football Matches in February 2025

Biggest Football Matches in March 2025:

Teams can turn the League Table in their favour! Last UEFA Nations League for Ronaldo and Modric??

Inter could overtake Napoli, Dortmund could surpass Leipzig and move into the Champions League spot; Barcelona could overtake Atletico Madrid and move into 2nd spot; Inter has the chance to surpass Atlanta and could find themselves at the top of Serie A. Chelsea will face Arsenal on 15th March at Emirates Stadium, popularly known as " The London Derby".

Some of the biggest international matches scheduled for March are the UEFA Nations League quarterfinals between European Football Super Giants. This could be possibly the last Nations League for Ronaldo and Modric. 

Key Dates of the Biggest Football Matches in March 2025

Biggest Football Matches in April 2025:

A month of Fierce and Local Derbies!!!

Manchester City has a chance to avenge home defeat at Old Trafford against their arch-rival in Manchester Derby. Other local derbies include Merseyside Derby, Bavarian Derby, London Derby, Der Klassiker, Derby della Capitale, West London Derby, Derby Rhone-Alpine and Derby Breton.

Key Dates of the Biggest Football Matches in April 2025

Biggest Football Matches in May 2025:

Arsenal Vs. Liverpool- "League Decider"! EL Clasico!! Champions League Final!!!

The match between Liverpool Vs. Arsenal on 10th May has already been considered a " League Decider" by several pundits. "El Clasico", is also scheduled on 11th May, which is going to be played at Bernabeu, as Real Madrid are aiming to avenge their home defeat against Barcelona. The month will be ending with the UEFA Champions League Final.

Key Dates of the Biggest Football Matches in May 2025

Biggest Football Matches in June 2025:

A month dedicated to the FIFA Club World Cup!

Top Clubs from all over the world will battle for the greatest glory of World Club Football. Legendary European Club Teams like Bayern Munich, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Chelsea, Inter Milan, Juventus, Porto, Benfica and Top South American Club Teams like Palmeiras, Flamengo, Fluminense and Major Asian Club Team like Al-Hilal and many more will battle for the ultimate glory.

Key Dates of the Biggest Football Matches in June 2025

So, that concludes the key dates of the Biggest Matches in 2025. Go ahead! Mark the dates on your calendar so that you don't miss any of the thrilling games from the list mentioned above. And let me know what your favourite club or International Team is in the comment box. For more updates and accurate pieces of information, kindly follow Sportz Point!

Read Also | West Ham vs Manchester City English Premier League 2024-25 Highlights | Erling Haaland scores his eight EPL hat-trick as Man City goes top of the table following a 3-1 victory over the Hammers

We are available on all Meta Platforms, or you could follow the author's page to stay connected with Sportz Point. Our site is used to cover the Biggest Football Matches via Live Blogs, match previews and reviews.

In his first full season in the MLS, Argentine forward Lionel Messi claimed the prestigious MVP award, which is given to the best-performing player in the League for that season.

Despite missing 15 matches due to injuries and international commitments, Messi led MLS in goal contributions with 20 goals and 16 assists in 19 appearances. He became the third player in the league's history to record at least 20 goals and 15 assists in a single season, following Carlos Vela (2019) and Sebastian Giovinco (2015). This achievement also marks the first time an Inter Miami player has won the award.

Read Also| Marc Guehi will receive no formal action by FA over his message on the armband issue

Lionel Messi Secures Prestigious Honor for the First Time in His Career

Our MVP by our @InterMiamiAcad 💫 This is the #FreedomToDream pic.twitter.com/EpGWNVfeKj

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) December 6, 2024

Inter Miami had a dominant MLS regular season, setting a record with 74 points, but was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by Atlanta United. Messi joined the team in June 2023 after departing Paris Saint-Germain.

Read Also | FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Draw: Groups, Format, and Schedule

Messi secured 38.4% of the average vote, edging out Hernandez, who received 33.7%. The top five was completed by Portland Timbers midfielder Evander (9.2%), DC United's Christian Benteke (7.1%), and Messi's Inter Miami teammate Luis Suárez (2.2%).

Read Also| Saudi Arabia in talks to participate in the CONCACAF Gold Cup 2025

How the MVP Voting Looked Like?

1. Lionel Messi (Inter Miami) --> 38.4%
2. Cucho Hernandez (Columbus Crew) --> 33.7%
3. Evander (Portland Timbers) --> 9.24%
4. Christian Benteke (DC United) --> 7.10%
5. Luis Suarez (Inter Miami) --> 2.17%

Messi, Busquets, and Alba led Inter Miami to victory in the Leagues Cup, a competition featuring MLS teams against Mexico's Liga MX, earning the club its first-ever trophy.

Read Also | AC Milan unveil stunning special 125th anniversary kit

In the 2024 season, Inter Miami excelled during the regular season, claiming the Supporters' Shield as the team with the highest points across both conferences. All these achievements helped propel Messi to win this award.

Set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025, the restructured global club football competition will bring together 32 teams from across the world to vie for the title of world champions.

The draw, held on Thursday, December 5, 2024, in Miami, showcased an impressive lineup of continental and domestic champions from every corner of the globe.

Among the standout contenders are Spain's Real Madrid, the UEFA Champions League winners, Brazil's Botafogo, the CONMEBOL Copa Libertadores champions, and Egypt's Al Ahly, who are consecutive CAF Champions League winners.

New Format

Traditionally featuring six to eight teams, the FIFA Club World Cup will now adopt a new format, hosting the largest number of participants in its history. Teams earned qualification by winning their respective continental club tournaments, such as the UEFA Champions League, and based on the confederations' four-year rankings.

South America (CONMEBOL) includes six teams, whereas Europe (whose confederation is UEFA) has twelve, making up the largest representation of the 32 teams.

There are four teams from North America, Central America, and the Caribbean (CONCACAF), Africa (AFC), and Asia (AFC).

Lionel Messi's Inter Miami was given a spot, as the domestic champions of the host country, Oceania (OFC) got one spot as well. The top two from each of the 8 groups will advance to the knockout stages after a round-robin group stage.

The final will take place at the iconic MetLife Stadium in New York New Jersey on 13 July.

Read Also | Substitutions that changed the football history

FIFA Club World Cup Groups

When is the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup?

The FIFA Club World Cup 2025 will take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025, in the United States of America.

How many teams will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025?

A total of 32 teams from 6 continents will take part in the FIFA Club World Cup 2025.

FIFA has revealed the seedings for the Group Stage Draw for the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. The 32 qualified clubs will know their fate on 5 December 2024, as the groups and the opponents will be decided for each participating team. However, According to DailyMail, FIFA has revealed the pots according to the seedings ahead of the draw on Thursday.

The expanded FIFA Club World Cup is scheduled to take place from June 15 to July 13, 2025, and will be held in various stadiums in the United States. 

FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Group Stage Draw details

Date: 5 December 2024

Time: 11:30 PM IST

Streaming: FIFA.com, FIFA+ App and Supporting Channels

Pots and Group Stage Draw

32 clubs have been divided into 4 pots comprising 8 clubs in each pot. Each group at the Club World Cup will consist of one team from Pot 1, a team from Pot 2, one from Pot 3, and one from Pot 4. This is how the Group Stage Draw will decide the potential opponent for the clubs on Thursday.

The Group Stage will have eight groups, consisting of 4 teams in each group playing a single game in a round-robin format. The top two teams from each group will earn qualification for the Round of 16 and after the quarter-finals and semi-finals are over, two teams will meet each other in the final set to be played on 13th July 2025. 

Read Also | Qualified teams for Club World Cup 2025

FIFA Club World Cup 2025 Pots 

Pot 1

Manchester City (England)

Real Madrid (Spain)

Bayern Munich (Germany)

Paris Saint-Germain (France)

Flamengo (Brazil)

Palmeiras (Brazil)

River Plate (Argentina)

Fluminense (Brazil)

Pot 2

Chelsea (England)

Borussia Dortmund (Germany)

Inter Milan (Italy)

FC Porto (Portugal)

Atletico Madrid (Spain)

SL Benfica (Portugal)

Juventus (Italy)

FC Salzburg (Austria)

Pot 3

Al-Hilal SFC (Saudi Arabia)

Ulsan HD FC (South Korea)

Al Ahly FC (Egypt)

Wydad Casablanca (Morocco)

CF Monterrey (Mexico)

Club Leon (Mexico)

Boca Juniors (Argentina)

Botafogo (Brazil)

Pot 4

Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan)

Al-Ain FC (UAE)

Esperance (Tunisia)

Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

Pachuca (Mexico)

Seattle Sounders (USA)

Auckland City (NZL)

Inter Miami (USA)

Lionel Messi will have a new coach at his club from next season onwards; as Inter Miami boss Gerardo 'Tata' Martino has left his position as the head coach on 20 November 2024. Martino has resigned due to some personal reasons. 

Martino leaves after winning the MLS Supporters' Shield with a record 74 points tally and crashing out of the MLS Cup play-offs in November 2024. the 62-year-old Argentinian coach also won the Leagues Cup with Miami last year.

🚨 Tata Martino’s Record as Inter Miami Coach:

🏟️ Games: 67
✅ Wins: 38
❌ Losses: 16
🤝 Draws: 13
📊 Points per game: 1.90

🏆 Leagues Cup Champion
🛡️ Supporter’s Shield Winner
📈 MLS All-Time Points Record pic.twitter.com/e2RLBXwUuC

— Inter Miami News Hub (@Intermiamicfhub) November 19, 2024

However, the Major League Soccer outfit will be looking for a new coach as Martino's heir at Miami. Inter Miami has entered the expanded FIFA Club World Cup 2025 and the star-studded group will need a high-profile coach to get them to the furthest in the competition. 

Read Also | Teams qualified for FIFA Club World Cup 2025: Messi's Inter Miami enters the tournament

Some great profiles have already emerged as potential candidates to be the next coach of Inter Miami. Sportzpoint explores the options that can be suitable for The Herons. 

Xavi

According to the Miami Herald, former Spain and Barcelona midfielder Xavi has emerged as an option to be the head coach of Inter Miami.

Xavi Hernandez has emerged as the top candidate to replace Tata Martino as Inter Miami’s head coach, according to reports! 🔥🦩

𝑨 𝑹𝑬𝑼𝑵𝑰𝑶𝑵 𝑾𝑰𝑻𝑯 𝑴𝑬𝑺𝑺𝑰 𝑨𝑵𝑫 𝑪𝑶.? ✨#LionelMessi #Xavi #InterMiami pic.twitter.com/l9WGOoLImw

— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) November 20, 2024

The former teammate of Lionel Messi at FC Barcelona can be reunited in Miami as his name has started to surface as one of the top candidates to take up the Miami job. Xavi's former teammates such as Messi, Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba are all part of the Miami squad, and that is why Xavi has emerged as the most reasonable option for The Herons. 

Xavi has not taken any other managerial job since he left his position as head coach at FC Barcelona in June 2024. He has won the LaLiga title and Supercopa de Espana in the 2022-23 season with Barca and also won seven trophies during his first tenure as a head coach for Qatar's Al-Sadd club.

Javier Mascherano

According to the Miami Herald, former Argentine midfielder Javier Mascherano has emerged as another top choice for the MLS outfit.

🚨 Xavi and Javier Mascherano have emerged as options for head coach at Inter Miami! 👔🇺🇸

Both are former teammates of Leo Messi. 👀

(Source: @MiamiHerald) pic.twitter.com/7ofnJsZ0K9

— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) November 20, 2024

Javier Mascherano has emerged as another top choice to sit at the Inter Miami dugout. The former Argentine midfielder who also played with Messi, Busquets, Alba, and Suarez at FC Barcelona was also a close teammate of Lionel Messi in the Argentina national team during his time.

However, Mascherano is currently the manager of the Argentina U-20 and U-23 team. It can be a risky choice considering he has no managerial experience in club football so far and AFA may not permit his departure leaving the national age-group teams. Mascherano's name has emerged but it is highly unlikely considering the scenario and all the possibilities. 

Zinedine Zidane 

Zinedine Zidane has close ties with his former Real Madrid teammate David Beckham, who is the co-owner of Inter Miami as well. Daily Mirror reported back in 2018 that Beckham had held preliminary talks with the French legend to manage the newly established Inter Miami, 

We have seen Messi, Beckham, and Zidane spending time together, so the 3-time UCL winning coach can be a very realistic option to be Miami's next coach. It was also reported in 2021 that Zidane's son, Enzo Zidane was on trial with Inter Miami. 

💥Cette photo légendaire de : Messi. Beckham. Zidane. 🇦🇷 🇬🇧 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/gMk82G4RkU

— INTER MIAMI FR (@IntermiamiFR_) February 24, 2024

Zidane has been a free agent since he decided to leave Real Madrid in 2021 after his second stint at the Spanish club. He has previously been linked with the France national football team's head coach job but no progress was made there. 

However, Zidane has managed the 3-times Champions League-winning Real Madrid squad filled with great figures and talents; which proves his immense man-management quality. It will be interesting to see if Zidane comes together with Messi and Beckham again, and this time to produce something great at Miami. 

Jim Curtin 

Jim Curtin may seem like an odd name in the list of some familiar stars of the game but the 45-year-old manager has proved himself as one of the best coaches in MLS' history. 

It was a heavily unexpected move by MLS side Philadelphia Union to part ways with Jim Curtin who was their head coach for 10 long years as he left his position on 7 November 2024. Curtin stayed on the Philadelphia Union's touchline for 11 seasons and won them the MLS Supporters' Shield in the 2019-20 season. 

Ya know who's cool?
This guy.

Just droppin' some Jim Curtin Appreciation on your timeline 🐍 #DOOP pic.twitter.com/1BJS44J1W5

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) July 31, 2020

Union has been one of the lowest-spending teams in the MLS but Curtin still managed to have a 42% winning rate after 420 games in charge over 10 years. He was potentially named as the USMNT assistant coach previously in 2023 but now he can be a very realistic option for the Miami job.